Dominvs snaps up social value consultancy SeerBridge

Real estate developer Dominvs Group, which is behind a string of UK hotels in the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database, has bought impact consultancy SeerBridge.

Wesley Ankrah (left) and Jay Ahluwalia

Real estate developer Dominvs Group, which is behind a string of UK hotels in the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database, has bought impact consultancy SeerBridge.

One of the UK’s most active hotel developers has pledged to put social value at the heart of its operations following a high-profile acquisition.

Bridging the gap between development and impact

Dominvs Group has finalised a deal to purchase fellow London-based outfit SeerBridge. The transaction paves the way for the privately owned real estate business to create a dedicated in-house social value unit, focused on ensuring that social value and community investment considerations are properly evaluated and integrated at all points in the lifecycle of its developments.

As part of the move, Wesley Ankrah, who founded SeerBridge in 2018, joins Dominvs as director of social value and community investment, along with the rest of the consultancy’s team. In addition to advising Dominvs on creative strategies for delivering social value, the unit will also codify the developer’s approach via a new Social Value Charter and introduce social value training for both new and existing staff.

Ahluwalia hails Dominvs’ latest deal

Jay Ahluwalia, the Dominvs senior director who led the acquisition, said that bringing in SeerBridge would “supercharge” his company’s commitment to the values of integrity, inclusiveness and generosity.

He added: “As a team, it has always been our goal to build a best-in-class business – and we have recognised that achieving this means not only having the top talent to deliver leading developments, but ensuring that these developments also deliver industry-leading impact for communities. We have worked with SeerBridge for over a year, and I noticed early on the value they would add to our business.

“They are market leaders in making the built environment much more cognisant of the communities that live and breathe around development sites.

“We are therefore delighted to announce that we have acquired SeerBridge, who will integrate their principles throughout Dominvs, allowing us to put social value firmly at the core of our business. As the business grows, we have a phenomenal opportunity to leverage our platform to create incredible benefits for communities, and my excitement for this cannot be overstated.”

Extensive experience in the real estate sector

Before setting up SeerBridge, Ankrah was founder and managing director of Essential Living Future CIC, the social enterprise partner of developer Essential Living, which sought to improve the lives of disadvantaged people across London.

He said: “We are delighted to be joining Dominvs, a business built on family values with a deep sense of impact. The timing of the opportunity to pursue this acquisition was perfect and will allow us to deliver on the amazing opportunities we have advised on in the past. Ultimately, our ambition is to raise the bar within the industry because that’s what real estate developments should be about – enhancing the quality of life of people and creating positive societal change for surrounding communities.

“I have loved being a consultant for the last three years and have worked with some of the leading lights of the built environment. However, the events of the past 18 months have reminded me that there is another dimension to the work we are passionate about – involvement in the delivery of social value projects.

“What the pandemic has shown me is that I miss helping people on the frontline, and when I saw the disruption and decimation of many community programmes, I felt an urge to be more involved again on a day-to-day basis. The pandemic brought a lot into focus for me, and I have to say my priorities have changed with regards to what I want from life now.”

Strong relationships with Hilton and Marriott

The TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database is currently tracking a host of active hotel schemes involving Dominvs across London, Bath and York. Among the notable brands that the developer is working with are Motto by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton and Courtyard by Marriott.

Recently, the company celebrated the topping out of Hampton by Hilton Bath, and revealed that Hampton by Hilton London City is on track to open in July 2023.

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